Friggatriskaidekaphobia is the fear of Friday the Thirteenth. The Thirteenth is widely viewed as an unlucky, feared day. In the United States, it is estimated that between 17 and 21 million people dread Friday the 13th. The word “frigga” come from the Norse goddess whom the day Friday was name after. Both Friday and the number 13 have been considered unlucky. Accidents on Friday the 13th were first documented in the late 19th century and continue into the year 2015. Friday the Thirteenth will occur thrice on February 13th, March 13th, and November 13th of 2015.

There are many different legends and beliefs explaining why and how Friday the 13th is unlucky and forebodes evil. Some consider the number twelve to be a complete number because there are twelve in a dozen, twelve months in a year, twelve hours in a day, twelve zodiac signs and several more significant recurrences of twelve. Because thirteen is directly after it, it is believed to be unlucky. The most popular theory of why it is specifically on a Friday springs from Christianity, in which Friday is the day Eve gave Adam the apple and was then forced to leave. They also believe that it is unlucky to have 13 people sit at a dinner table; mainly because Judas Iscariot was the thirteenth person to dine at the Last Supper.

Of course, many, many people completely disregard these superstitions as rubbish and some have even gone as far as to prove it. Clubs have been formed to disprove it; the earliest reference coming from a club formed by William Fowler. Fowler formed the “Thirteen Club”, where club members would dine together in groups of 13. He founded it on Friday January 13th, 1882, purposely a Friday the Thirteenth date. Going even further, club members walked under ladders before sitting down, and made sure to spill salt all over the table before dining.

So this Friday the 13th, stay away from black cats, avoid ladders and do your best not to break a mirror! Comment down below any funny or scary stories that you have relating to Friday the 13th.

SOURCES:

http://http://www.ibtimes.com/friday-13th-history-origins-myths-superstitions-unlucky-day-395108.

nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0212_040212_friday13_2.html

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/09/the-origin-of-friday-the-13th-as-an-unlucky-day/